Daniel Joseph O'Connor

Passed away peacefully on June 10, 2015, at the age of 77. He is survived by his wife, Irene; children Kevin O'Connor (Nancy) of Santa Ynez, CA, Sheila Starnes (Rick) of Santa Barbara, CA, Christina Lund (Cory) of San Rafael, CA, Kathleen Gash (David) of Rancho Santa Fe, CA, and Michael O'Connor of Santa Barbara, CA; and sister Janine Benz of Santa Clarita, CA. He and Irene enjoyed special trips traveling with and supporting the many extracurricular activities of their nine grandchildren, Nicholas, Kelly, Colleen, Michael, Jacqueline, Connor, Heather, Nathan and Lauren. Born in Ventura, CA, to parents Lucille St. George O'Connor and John Daniel O'Connor, Daniel was raised in Los Angeles and enjoyed a lifelong brotherhood with his classmates from Loyola. Childhood summers were spent enjoying the thrill of hunting, fishing and all the adventures of ranch life at his aunt and uncle's Hartman Ranches in Camarillo and Ojai. High school sweethearts, Daniel and Irene met at a dance including their respective schools -- Loyola and Notre Dame Academy - and married in West Los Angeles in 1959. Daniel brought his bride and their infant son, Kevin, to Santa Barbara in 1960 to start their new life and expand their pest control businesses throughout many regions of California. He maintained lifelong friendships with the men he met volunteering with on behalf of a dynamic Santa Barbara Junior Chamber of Commerce (JCs) soon after relocating to Santa Barbara, focusing on projects such as The Child Estate (now known as the Santa Barbara Zoo) and Santa Barbara Fair, among many others. An accomplished athlete, Daniel's passion for football in his early days, many years playing softball with the Knights of Columbus, and a relentless tennis schedule well into his early 70s, kept him active throughout his life. He was an enthusiastic sponsor of a variety of Santa Barbara youth sports programs for 55 years. Daniel and his family enjoyed boating in our local channel, skiing and fishing at Mammoth Lakes, and family holidays and reunions at Bass Lake. He and Irene enjoyed many wonderful memories traveling extensively with cherished friends. Daniel will be remembered by his loving family and friends for his extraordinary work ethic and generosity, as well as his quick wit, straight-man antics, and elaborate shenanigans. He was predeceased by his parents Lucille and John O'Connor; sister Ann O'Connor Walsh; niece Kimberly Walsh; and grandson Brave. A Celebration of Life Memorial Mass will be held at San Roque Catholic Church at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 7, 2015. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of choice .

Daniel Joseph O'Connor

September 27, 1937 - June 10, 2015